Which battery does the Fujifilm X-T1 use?

Fujifilm NP-W126

Fujifilm NP-W126

The Fujifilm X-T1 is a enthusiast mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that features a 16MP sensor.
It is powered by the Fujifilm NP-W126, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack.
Lithium-Ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge, and are nowadays found in many portable electronic devices.
The NP-W126 operates at a voltage of 7.2V and has a capacity of 1260mAh.
It can be charged from a standard electrical outlet via the Fujifilm BC-W126 charger
(that can be purchased separately, for example, at
amazon).
The battery pack measures 47mm in width, 15mm in height,
and 36mm in depth. It weighs 51g.
The NP-W126 has been on the market since January 2012 and
sells at good camera retailers, such as amazon,
for about $70. Generic alternatives (see below) can be obtained at substantially lower cost.

What is the difference between the NP-W126 and the NP-W126S?

The Fujifilm NP-W126 was replaced as a battery pack for digital cameras by the NP-W126S.
Both types operate at a similar voltage and are fully interchangeable, so that
the NP-W126S can also be used with the Fujifilm X-T1.
The main difference between the two packs is their internal circuit design. The newer battery pack
has less internal resistance and, thus, less energy loss from internal heating. It will therefore last longer on a single charge
and be less prone to overheating.

How many shots can I take with a fully charged NP-W126?

Genuine NP-W126

Genuine NP-W126

The number of shots that one can get out of a battery pack depends heavily on the style and
imaging practice of the photographer. For example, the extended use of the LCD screen for framing or reviewing will result in
reduced battery performance. The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has established guidelines
(click here to download the pdf-document)
that manufacturers are supposed to respect when reporting the battery life of their cameras. According to this CIPA-rating,
the Fujifilm X-T1 can take 350 images on a single charge.
Given the relatively demanding energy usage of the CIPA procedures, this rated number should be achievable
or be surpassed in most practical situations. However, if the environment is cold, the LCD screen is used heavily,
or the camera is turned on and off frequently, battery mileage might drop below the rating. Also, as the
battery pack ages, its performance will tend to deteriorate.

What about generic battery packs?

Fujifilm NP-W126 Specifications

Battery type:

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack

Compatibility:

Fujifilm X-T1 & other selected Fujifilm cameras

Voltage:

7.2V DC

Capacity:

1260mAh or 350 shots (CIPA) with the Fujifilm X-T1

Dimensions (W x H x D):

47 x 15 x 36mm

Weight:

51g

Fujifilm sells the original NP-W126 pack at quite a steep price. This
premium pricing strategy has left room in the market for third party suppliers to offer fully compatible battery packs at
much lower prices. Savings from buying generic replacement batteries can amount up to 70 percent of the price of the
genuine battery pack. Indeed, one can easily find a variety of competitively-priced NP-W126 replacements
from different vendors at major online platforms (see, for example,
here at ebay).
All these generic alternatives should work fine with your Fujifilm X-T1 and the standard battery charger. So why would anybody
then buy the more expensive
original battery? Well, below are some arguments in favor of the genuine NP-W126, which can perhaps be
summarized as "peace of mind".

Assurance that the warranty of the camera will not be rendered void if a battery-related failure occurs;

Assurance that the battery pack will indeed have the stated capacity;

Assurance that the battery will have low self-discharge rates and, thus, will hold its charge even when not in use;

Assurance that the power unit will not trigger any warning messages on the camera or charger;

Assurance that the manufacturing process has respected the safety guidelines for Lithium-Ion batteries;

If you can live without these assurances, then you are in for some nice savings from buying generic replacements
for the NP-W126.
Unfortunately, the market for generic battery packs is rather fluid, with new trade names popping up regularly while others disappear.
Hence it is difficult to keep track of all the suppliers and the quality of their products. That said, in North America, battery packs from
Wasabi
have gained a good reputation, while in Europe, replacement power packs from
Patona
have received many favorable reviews. In any case, the existing
comparisons tend to find that the cheapest of the generic replacement packs score worse in
terms of achieving their rated capacity, holding their charge over time, or allowing for a large number of charge-discharge cycles
than somewhat pricier battery packs (or the genuine Fujifilm offer). Thus, the old adage, "If the price sounds too low to be true, it probably is"
has some merit with respect to camera batteries also. You can check the current offers and prices for the original NP-W126 and its clones by using
the buttons below.

What other cameras use the Fujifilm NP-W126 or the NP-W126S?

The Fujifilm X-T1 is not alone in using the NP-W126 or the NP-W126S. Several other cameras from Fujifilm are powered
by the same type of lithium-ion pack. The adjacent table lists some of them along with a selection of their headline specifications. Click
on the camera name for further details on the particular model.

Fujifilm NP-W126 FAQ

The NP-W126 is the standard power source for the Fujifilm X-T1. As such it is an
indispensable camera accessory. Below are some additional questions and answers
concerning some particular aspects of the battery pack and Lithium-Ion power units more generally.

Is there a car charger available for the NP-W126?

Fujifilm does not offer a travel charger, but third party suppliers do
(see here on ebay).

Is the NP-W126 available in colors other than black?

No, Fujifilm supplies this battery pack only in black. However, some generic alternatives from
third party providers might be available in other colors.

Can I use the NP-W126 in any of my other electronic devices?

No, the battery is specifically designed for use in the Fujifilm X-T1 and other selected cameras from Fujifilm.

How should the NP-W126 be stored?

Lithium-ion batteries can hold a charge for many months. However, these battery packs have a safety mechanism build-in that
disables any re-charge if the voltage drops below a certain minimum level. To avoid this safety-trigger to be activated, the battery pack
should be charged at least once every few months.

How should I discard my old battery pack?

The contents of Lithium-Ion batteries is under pressure and the packs can explode if exposed to extreme heat. Lithium-Ion battery units
should therefore never be incinerated and should not be thrown into the household trash, but put into the recycling stream.
Most places that sell camera batteries will also accept them back for recycling.